What good is his contract, if he doesn't show up and play?
He still had guaranteed money on his $40 million, 5 year contract, signed in 2012.
Typically, the first two years of the contract, plus the signing bonus (which is often spread out over several years), are guaranteed.
So, he is owed at least for 2013, plus a $3.25 million bonus due in 2014, plus the Patriots tried to recoup all the upfront bonus money they gave him in 2012, but I don’t know if they got it.
NFL guaranteed money means you get paid - injured, released, dead, or alive.
After his murder conviction, his entire contract was voided for “conduct detrimental.”
As of today, his conviction was voided, so there was no “conduct detrimental.”